The original "The Mask" comics

*Anarchistguy* · 01-28-2005, 04:23 PM

Hello,

Has anybody ever read the comics on which the movie was based on? They were VERY different. Allow me to explain:

Movie version:
It starred Jim Carrey and was LOOSELY based on the early issues of the comic book series. Carrey's Stanley Ipkiss is a nice guy who uses the mask (mostly) for good purposes and gets a happy ending.

Comic version:
The series begins with the mask being found in an antiques shop by Stanley Ipkiss, a neurotic loser who everyone takes advantage of. Trying the mask on, he is transformed into a wacky being with an abnormally large bald green-skinned head. After exploring his new abilities for a while, he goes on a rampage, taking lethal revenge on everyone against whom he holds a grudge, from the motor mechanic who always overcharges him to his old first-grade teacher. When Stanley takes the mask off, he reverts to his normal timid self, who decides he'd better leave town in case the activities of the green-skinned freak (dubbed "Big-Head" by the media) are traced back to him. The mask, however, has decided it likes it here, and arranges to fall into the hands of Stanley's girlfriend Kathy.

A storyline about Kathy's experiences with the mask was planned, but never saw the light of day; the series continues with Kathy giving the mask to a police officer, Lt. Kellaway, for safe-keeping. Disregarding her warnings, Kellaway tries the mask on, and sets out to clean up the city. Despite his good intentions, his methods become increasingly bizarre, and soon Big-Head is the target of a police man-hunt. (The world at large, not knowing about the mask, assumes it's always the same big-headed green-skinned freak; nobody realises that he might have a secret identity.) When he nearly kills a friend and colleague who got in his way, Kellaway realises how badly things have gone wrong, and swears never to wear the mask again.

In the next storyline, the mask falls into the hands of a small-time mobster, who (as Big-Head) becomes the city's pre-eminent crime boss.

Powers/Abilities: The wearer of the Mask is, to all intents and purposes, invulnerable. Injuries of any sort do no permanent damage, no matter how severe. Although they do bleed normally, the wearer feels no pain. The movie translated this into making the wearer a living cartoon character. They can also produce any weapon they desire out of thin air. Again, in the movie this became any prop, a la Bugs Bunny. These are as lethal to normal people as real weapons would be. Since the wearer of the Mask has their inhibitions and conscience removed, treating others as if they were invulnerable as he is, this tends to mean that the Mask kills those he encounters.

I took all this info from a UK comic site and some other site.

The reason I posted this is because I was shocked as hell about the comic version, just like when I learned about the Mirage TMNT.

*ZariusTwo* · 01-28-2005, 04:42 PM

SSSSSSSSSSSSSMOKIN'

...But yeah, the comic is in every way superior to the film and cartoon, stay away from the upcoming sequel at all costs.

*Anarchistguy* · 01-28-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

SSSSSSSSSSSSSMOKIN'

...But yeah, the comic is in every way superior to the film and cartoon,

Heh...the movie and cartoon are still good. But, what shocked me the most is that Stanley gets killed.

Quote:

stay away from the upcoming sequel at all costs.

You don't have to tell me twice about that.

*DrSpengler* · 01-28-2005, 05:33 PM

The only TPB I can find is The Mask Strikes Back, which is the third part of the comic series. It stars a bunch of teenagers who get a hold of the Mask and use it for various violent things.

I really want to find the first Mask comics with Stanely Ipkiss, though.

Also, anybody ever see those episodes of the Mask and Ace Ventura cartoons when they crossed-over? Kinda bizzare. Especially since Ace had four fingers and the Mask had five.

Dontebell · 02-06-2005, 09:07 AM

I like the cartoon and the movie better than the comics,and I think the sequel might be good.

*DrSpengler* · 02-06-2005, 04:28 PM

I picked up the Mask Strikes Back and Joke/Mask TPBs the other day. Definately superior to the movie and all-around dark story-telling.

I thought Strikes Back was better than Joker/Mask. Maybe it was the art style.

I'm looking into getting the original Stanely Ipkiss run and the Mask Returns if they're still in print.

louiebling$ · 05-15-2011, 06:15 PM

Watched The Mask This Morning on ABC Family and it got me looking into what actually were his powers in the Comics and I can't really find an website that has JUST the comic abilities its always a vague combination of the Film and Cartoon....can anyone help me out with this? And possible the extents and limits of his abilities?

I'm also looking into finding the TPB of the entire series

*Candy Kappa* · 05-15-2011, 07:24 PM

looking for comics you should try the selling/buying thread, as soon as you hit 25P. not sure necroing a thread from 05 will help much

**Jester** · 05-15-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

SSSSSSSSSSSSSMOKIN'

...But yeah, the comic is in every way superior to the film and cartoon, stay away from the upcoming sequel at all costs.

SACRILEGE!! How dare you sully the good name of the Mask animated series, starring the much beloved Rob Paulsen.

*discordiatookie* · 05-16-2011, 03:41 PM

Wow, that's an old post! I remember getting some tpbs outta the library as a young'un, I was about ten or eleven, and man, these things were violent. Don't think the librarian realised that comics could be for grown ups

*Slap-Happy* · 05-16-2011, 07:10 PM

I had this CD-ROM when I was around nine years old, that had the first series basically as a motion comic with voices and animation. It kinda shocked me how violent they were compared to the movie. Always thought a very close adaptation would be cool. On the Movie commentary, Chuck Russel mentioned that The Mask was originally going to be a slasher film before he'd changed the concept.

01-28-2005, 04:23 PM	#1
Anarchistguy Mad Scientist Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada (This country is too peaceful, Something's up...) Posts: 2,137	The original "The Mask" comics Hello, Has anybody ever read the comics on which the movie was based on? They were VERY different. Allow me to explain: Movie version: It starred Jim Carrey and was LOOSELY based on the early issues of the comic book series. Carrey's Stanley Ipkiss is a nice guy who uses the mask (mostly) for good purposes and gets a happy ending. Comic version: The series begins with the mask being found in an antiques shop by Stanley Ipkiss, a neurotic loser who everyone takes advantage of. Trying the mask on, he is transformed into a wacky being with an abnormally large bald green-skinned head. After exploring his new abilities for a while, he goes on a rampage, taking lethal revenge on everyone against whom he holds a grudge, from the motor mechanic who always overcharges him to his old first-grade teacher. When Stanley takes the mask off, he reverts to his normal timid self, who decides he'd better leave town in case the activities of the green-skinned freak (dubbed "Big-Head" by the media) are traced back to him. The mask, however, has decided it likes it here, and arranges to fall into the hands of Stanley's girlfriend Kathy. A storyline about Kathy's experiences with the mask was planned, but never saw the light of day; the series continues with Kathy giving the mask to a police officer, Lt. Kellaway, for safe-keeping. Disregarding her warnings, Kellaway tries the mask on, and sets out to clean up the city. Despite his good intentions, his methods become increasingly bizarre, and soon Big-Head is the target of a police man-hunt. (The world at large, not knowing about the mask, assumes it's always the same big-headed green-skinned freak; nobody realises that he might have a secret identity.) When he nearly kills a friend and colleague who got in his way, Kellaway realises how badly things have gone wrong, and swears never to wear the mask again. In the next storyline, the mask falls into the hands of a small-time mobster, who (as Big-Head) becomes the city's pre-eminent crime boss. Powers/Abilities: The wearer of the Mask is, to all intents and purposes, invulnerable. Injuries of any sort do no permanent damage, no matter how severe. Although they do bleed normally, the wearer feels no pain. The movie translated this into making the wearer a living cartoon character. They can also produce any weapon they desire out of thin air. Again, in the movie this became any prop, a la Bugs Bunny. These are as lethal to normal people as real weapons would be. Since the wearer of the Mask has their inhibitions and conscience removed, treating others as if they were invulnerable as he is, this tends to mean that the Mask kills those he encounters. I took all this info from a UK comic site and some other site. The reason I posted this is because I was shocked as hell about the comic version, just like when I learned about the Mirage TMNT. __________________ M.D.K. Maim! Destroy! Kill!!! "When my time comes, I wanna be buried face down, so those who don't like me can kiss my ass!"

01-28-2005, 04:42 PM	#2
ZariusTwo Overlord Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Britain, DINO THUNDER...POWER UP! Posts: 22,417	SSSSSSSSSSSSSMOKIN' ...But yeah, the comic is in every way superior to the film and cartoon, stay away from the upcoming sequel at all costs. __________________ Spider-Man: The Rescue Spider-Man: The Galloping Cat Spider-Man: Scarlet Mirror Doctor Who: Child of the Daleks

05-15-2011, 06:15 PM	#7
louiebling$ Random Punk Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 22	Watched The Mask This Morning on ABC Family and it got me looking into what actually were his powers in the Comics and I can't really find an website that has JUST the comic abilities its always a vague combination of the Film and Cartoon....can anyone help me out with this? And possible the extents and limits of his abilities? I'm also looking into finding the TPB of the entire series __________________ http://twitter.com/louiebling

05-15-2011, 07:24 PM	#8
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	looking for comics you should try the selling/buying thread, as soon as you hit 25P. not sure necroing a thread from 05 will help much __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon

05-16-2011, 03:41 PM	#10
discordiatookie facehugger Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 2,817	Wow, that's an old post! I remember getting some tpbs outta the library as a young'un, I was about ten or eleven, and man, these things were violent. Don't think the librarian realised that comics could be for grown ups __________________ Oh Discordia! Charyou Tree! Come, Reap! Don't tell us to grow up and out of it I got my cloak and dagger in a bar room brawl You actually trying to read this tiny text? Damn, you're dedicated! This is all just for effect you know... original TMNT art collection

01-28-2005, 05:33 PM	#4
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	The only TPB I can find is The Mask Strikes Back, which is the third part of the comic series. It stars a bunch of teenagers who get a hold of the Mask and use it for various violent things. I really want to find the first Mask comics with Stanely Ipkiss, though. Also, anybody ever see those episodes of the Mask and Ace Ventura cartoons when they crossed-over? Kinda bizzare. Especially since Ace had four fingers and the Mask had five.

02-06-2005, 09:07 AM	#5
Dontebell Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Flint,Mi Posts: 819	I like the cartoon and the movie better than the comics,and I think the sequel might be good.

02-06-2005, 04:28 PM	#6
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	I picked up the Mask Strikes Back and Joke/Mask TPBs the other day. Definately superior to the movie and all-around dark story-telling. I thought Strikes Back was better than Joker/Mask. Maybe it was the art style. I'm looking into getting the original Stanely Ipkiss run and the Mask Returns if they're still in print.

05-16-2011, 07:10 PM	#11
Slap-Happy Bad Boy Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,911	I had this CD-ROM when I was around nine years old, that had the first series basically as a motion comic with voices and animation. It kinda shocked me how violent they were compared to the movie. Always thought a very close adaptation would be cool. On the Movie commentary, Chuck Russel mentioned that The Mask was originally going to be a slasher film before he'd changed the concept. Last edited by Slap-Happy; 06-09-2011 at 08:58 PM.